2005 Audi TT — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Audi TT passed 73.5% of its 24,742 recorded MOT tests. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.2% of the time, so this is 4.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.9%) and suspension (12.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, coil spring and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 1,925 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.6% versus 13.1%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 36.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 3,448 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.2% | 3,024 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.2% | 2,029 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.1% | 1,759 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 1,688 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.0% | 1,233 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,925 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,453 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,269 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 1,241 |
| 5 | Joints | 1,210 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 1,125 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.6% | 9,059 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.3% | 8,481 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.2% | 6,239 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.1% | 3,736 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 3,374 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.8% | 2,425 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 351 | 13.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,593 | 18.4% |
| 60-90k | 6,712 | 24.6% |
| 90-120k | 8,535 | 28.6% |
| 120-150k | 4,602 | 29.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,939 | 30.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,703 | 27.4% |
| 2022 | 5,284 | 25.8% |
| 2023 | 4,982 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 4,598 | 26.8% |
| 2025 | 4,175 | 26.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 TT
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (8.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 Audi TTs pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 24,742 2005 Audi TT MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Audi TT?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.9% of tests, followed by suspension (12.2%).
Does the 2005 TT get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.1% in the 0-30k band to 30.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,742 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.